Braided hair weft

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an apparatus designed to reduce the length of time it takes to add hair extensions and braid individual braids to a person&#39;s head. The present invention requires anchoring hair fibers to a weft creating an apparatus for quickly adding the look of individual braids without requiring one to individually braid strands of a person&#39;s hair. Creating this apparatus requires: (1) Braiding individual braids from hair fibers; (2) Using thread to stitch the individual braids together creating a horizontal anchor of Singles stitched together forming an apparatus we&#39;ll call a Braided Hair Weft. The present invention is a single apparatus that does not have multiple parts. It requires no preparatory work to make ready to apply to one&#39;s head because the individual braids come pre-braided and application is simple requiring a single step which is to sew it onto the cornrows on the client&#39;s head.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The invention disclosed in this application relates to the inventiondisclosed in provisional patent application 60/879,633, which was filedon Jan. 10, 2007. Accordingly, this application claims the benefit ofthe priority afforded by provisional patent application 60/879,633.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a braided hair weft.

2. Background

There are inventions and products currently on the market that relate tobraids and hair wefts. These inventions currently are deficient for avariety of reasons. Some require multiple steps and methods to createtheir look, and these multiple steps become tedious and laborious. Otherinventions currently on the market are undesirable because they lookless authentic, and still others require that the user manage the wholeunit in its entirety, which results in the wearer having to have thesame look each day they wear it. The stylist would have to manage theunit as a whole piece due to its design. The way it's designed does notallow for variation. Units like this are developed to be applied toone's head in its whole form (i.e. it can't be separated, cut intosmaller pieces, applied in a variety of ways, while wearing the unitit's not washable, and it doesn't have multiple outcomes in design onceapplied to the wearer's head) because by doing so would ruin the unit.

Another major flaw with what's already on the market is in its design.Current designs require having to use the entire unit as a single unitresulting in the same look each day worn, as stated above, and thesewhole units do not allow the wearer to be able to wash it while wearingit. Other problems with inventions currently on the market are that theylook less authentic, they are stiff and less free flowing, some don'tsecurely attach to the wearer's scalp, those that do are not apparatus'that have strands of free flowing braids that can be applied insections, and with what's currently on the market, to get the look offree flowing braids one has to manipulate pre-manufactured braids one ata time securing it to cornrows, and this repetition is extremelytedious. Still further, those inventions and products on the market thatdo address having braids as a finished product are not flexible inapplication, do not have an authentic look and prohibit freedom indesign choice.

The market is missing an invention that addresses the wearer havingindividual braids as a finished product without the ability to addmultiple pre-manufactured braids in a single application. The marketalso lacks an invention that is an individual unit comprised ofindividual braids created in a loose and free flowing fashion anddesigned to be applied in sections or as a holistic unit, which whenusing our invention, allows you to wear multiple styles whilemaintaining a look of authenticity. The market is still further missingan invention that has variation to how it can be worn.

Therefore, what is needed is a braided hair weft that does not sufferfrom the aforementioned problems, and which (1) reduces the cost to theconsumer to create an overall look of individual braids; (2) provides agreater look of authenticity and cosmetic quality; (3) increasesflexibility in application while simplifying the application process;(4) increases design options and creativity in the way artificial braidscan be worn; (5) is easier to duplicate and less tedious to replicatewhich is simpler for the stylist when applying; (6) allows you to manageit in pieces, small parts, or as a holistic unit; (7) successfully hidesthe appearance of new growth; (8) minimizes the time it takes a stylistto create an overall look of individual braids on the wearer's head; (9)minimizes the length of time required for the consumer to sit idle andstill while the braids are being created; (10) minimizes the length oftime the braids can be worn before needing to be undone; and (11)minimizes the time it takes someone to undo each braid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a braided hair weft made of individual braidsto create the look of individual/single/or micro style braids. Thisinvention solves three critical problems, the first and most criticalone being time. Typically, to braid ones hair in micro/individual/orsingle style braids, it often takes 16 hours or longer (unless multiplestylists are braiding the same client's hair). With the presentinvention, the same look can be accomplished in two-three hours or evenshorter depending on the competency of the stylist. The second problemis cost; because the present invention is such a time saver, it woulddrastically reduce the cost of styling due to the significant reductionof labor. Third, the present invention will address “wear ability” andcosmetic quality.

More specifically, the present invention advantageously fills theaforementioned deficiencies by providing a braided weft that (1) reducesthe cost to the consumer to create an overall look of individual braids;(2) provides a greater look of authenticity and cosmetic quality; (3)Increases flexibility in application while simplifying the applicationprocess; (4) increases design options and creativity in the wayartificial braids can be worn; (5) is easier to duplicate and lesstedious to replicate which is simpler for the stylist when applying; (6)allows you to manage it in pieces, small parts, or as a holistic unit;(7) successfully hides the appearance of new growth; (8) minimizes thetime it takes a stylist to create an overall look of individual braidson the wearer's head; (9) minimizes the length of time required for theconsumer to sit idle and still while the braids are being created; (10)maximizes the length of time the braids can be worn before needing to beundone; and (11) minimizes the time it takes someone to undo each braid.

The present invention can be best characterized as an apparatus designedto reduce the length of time it takes to add hair extensions and braidindividual (Single) braids to a person's head. The present inventionrequires anchoring hair fibers to a weft creating an apparatus forquickly adding the look of individual braids without requiring one toindividually braid strands of a person's hair. Creating this apparatusrequires: (1) Braiding individual braids (we'll refer to as Singles)from hair fibers; (2) Using thread to stitch the individual braidstogether creating a horizontal anchor of Singles stitched togetherforming an apparatus we'll call a Braided Hair Weft. This Braided HairWeft is flexible, durable, less stiff, less bulky, it is easier tomanipulate, less cumbersome for a stylist to duplicate, tremendouslyquicker to add and remove, and looks more authentic when attached to thescalp.

In one embodiment of the present invention, individual braids would bepreferably braided from strands of manufactured hair by a machine toensure each braid was measured to specification ensuring that each braidis the same size and length. The pre-manufactured braids would then besewn together by a machine along the tops of each braid allowing thebraids to flow perpendicular to the stitching and the machine wouldensure accuracy in measurement affirming each braid is evenly spacedapart, braided to the same length, and securely fastened to the weftedstitch pattern. Of course, the braids could be made by hand as well. Tobraid individual braids from scratch, one would take strands ofpre-manufactured hair, separate the strands in three parts, weave thethree strands together free hand to form a braid. The woven processbegins at the top of the strands in a downward motion until the lengthof the pre-manufactured hair is braided. This process would be repeateduntil enough individual braids are braided to create a track inpreparation for sewing them together to form the braided weft.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the preferred wayto use the invention is to have the client's head corn rowed first. Oncethe cornrows are in place, apply the present invention preferably insmall pieces, (12″ lengths or smaller is recommended, but not required,it can be cut to any desired length) applying the stitched (wefted) end(parallel to the braid is recommended, but not required) to the cornrows, starting at the edge of the braided weft and finishing at theopposite end of the braided weft. The process for applying the braidedweft is straight forward. The preferred application process for thebraided weft is to cut it into smaller sections, take a sectioned pieceby one corner and with a needle and thread, sew it from one corner ontothe cornrow, along the length of the weft, until the sectioned piece ofthe weft is securely stitched to the cornrow. This process is repeateduntil all the cornrows are covered, thus allowing multiple individualfree flowing braids to be attached to the scalp in one application.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide thecreation of individual braids sewn together creating a weft of Singles(which can be commonly referred to as a track of individual braids) forhair weaving Singles/Micro Braids/Individual braids onto a person'shead.

It is another object of the present invention to provide simplicity ofcreation, which will allow stylists to creatively use it to accenthairstyles they create with woven braid designs without actually havingto braid the client's hair, but utilizing the present invention tocreate a braided look.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inventionthat has the overall natural appearance of individual braids, but whichcan be achieved in a fraction of the time.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read inconjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and anypreferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed orotherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided byway of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough,complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows strands of pre-manufactured hair being braided to form anindividual.

FIG. 2 shows multiple individual pre-manufactured braids lined upwaiting to be stitched together to form the weft track.

FIG. 3 shows individual braids stitched together forming a Braided HairWeft.

FIG. 4 shows cornrows on the client's head, (client's hair prepped forthe application process of our invention).

FIG. 5 shows a side view of our invention being applied to the client'shead by the stylist.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of our invention being applied to the client'shead by the stylist.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following are reference numerals that correspond to the numeralsassociated with the attached drawings:

-   -   2 top of individual strand of a single hair braid    -   4 bottom of individual strand of a single hair braid    -   6 loose strands of unbraided hair    -   12 individual strand of hair braided to form an individual braid    -   15 hair weaving material, preferably hair weaving thread    -   16 attachment hair weaving material, preferably hair weaving        thread    -   18 braided hair weft    -   20 wearer's head    -   22 cornrows    -   24 hair weaving needle

The present invention is directed to a braided hair weft 18, which whencompared to solutions presently available, is less stiff, lesscumbersome, less bulky, looks more real when applied to the wearer'shead, is easier to manipulate, is easier to duplicate and less tediousthrough repetition, and simpler for the stylist to apply.

The use of the invention requires one to take strands of hair,preferably pre-manufactured hair, which can be made of but is notlimited to being made with pre-treated human hair fibers and/or asynthetic material, and weave them together to create an individualbraid 12. The invention requires one to repeat these steps creatingmultiple individual braids 12 aligning them up horizontally with thebraided ends pointing upwards and the loose strands of unbraided hair 6pointed downward. Once multiple individual braids are created, one thenconnects the individual braids 12 together along the top 2 creating aBraided Hair Weft 18. To apply the Braided Hair Weft 18, one must cornrow 22 the wearer's natural hair in preferably small, narrow corn rowsto prepare the wearer head 20 for the application of the Braided HairWeft 18. Once the wearer's hair is fully corn rowed (design of thecornrows can vary), the Braided Hair Weft 18 is ready to be applied. Toapply, one needs to pick up the Braided Hair Weft 18 by the stitchedseam 16 and use needle 24 and thread 15, or other material such asstring, twine, yarn or other similar material, to sew the Braided HairWeft 18 onto the wearer's head 20. The Braided Hair Weft 18 is laidacross the corn rows 22 either parallel to or perpendicular to the cornrows, and then stitched onto the cornrows. This process is preferablyrepeated until all the cornrows are fully covered, but does not need tobe carried out this far. The process can be repeated until as much asdesired is covered.

Now referring specifically to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an individualstrand of a hair braid 12, having a top 2 and a bottom 4. This hairbraid 12 uses three individual strands of hair 6 in equal parts to bebraided together to create the individual strand of hair braid 12.Although only 3 individual strands of hair 6 are shown in this and otherillustrations, it is within the scope of the invention to have morestrands of hair weaved together to form one or more of the individualstrands of hair braid 12 that will ultimately be combined to form thebraided hair weft 18.

FIG. 2 depicts multiple individual hair braids 12 all braided to equalwidths and lengths. Although these multiple individual hair braids 12are shown to be of equal widths and lengths it is within the scope ofthis invention to have individual hair braids 12 be of a variety ofwidths and lengths. There is no particular requirement for uniformity ofwidth and length, although such uniformity is ordinarily preferable.

FIG. 3 shows the multiple individual hair braids 12 being lined up in ahorizontal row, the tops 2 of each braid being preferably evenlyseparated and preferably parallel to each other and the length of eachbraid freely flowing vertically allowing the bottoms 4 of each braid toalso be parallel with each other so that the tops can be stitched alonga straight line in a horizontal line. This stitching is preferablyaccomplished through the use of a length of hair weaving thread 15, withthe hair weaving thread 15 being preferably doubled back through the top2 of the individual braids 12 after the first stitch is sewn along allthe tops 2 of the braids creating the braided hair weft 18. The lengthof the hair weaving thread necessary to create the braided hair weft 18varies depending upon the number of corn rows 22, the spacing betweenthe corn rows, the spacing between the individual hair braids 12, thesize of the wearer's head and the desired coverage of the wearer's head.Ordinarily the length of the hair weaving thread or material willfluctuate depending on the length of the Braided Hair Weft being appliedto the wearer's head. The hair weaving thread or material ordinarilycomes in spool of thread/material/yarn etc and will need to be cut downto size. Sizes vary depending on the type of application. For repeatedapplications of a 12″ braided hair weft section, the typical length ofthread ranges between 24-36 inches in length. Of course, alternativelengths required or desired by the user are intended to be and in factare within the scope of this invention.

Not shown in FIG. 3, but within the scope of the present invention, isthe addition of decorative embellishments or ornamental objects beingsewn in between two or more of the individual hair braids 12 to create adistinguished look that can be personalized. Such embellishments orornamentation may include, but are not limited to, ribbons, jewelryitems, using portions of the Braided Hair Weft to wrap around ponytails, or cut into small pieces and attached with hair bonding glue toquickly but temporarily upgrade a hairstyle, or temporarily attached andworn over hair clips, designed with hair pins, adorned with hairbarrettes, worn with hair bobbles, attached and worn with hairscrunchies, arranged and worn with hair rubberbands, worn withdecorative hair combs, accentuated by scarves, decorated with headbands, and more.

FIG. 4 shows the wearer's head 20 already with corn rows 22 created inpreparation for the application of the braided hair weft 18. These cornrows 22 are secured with natural strands from the client's scalp forminga braided pattern and base for our application to be added to it.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the proposed application of the braided hairweft 18 using a hair needle 24 and an attachment hair weaving material16 to sew braided hair weft 18 onto the corn rows secured by naturalhair onto the wearer's head 20. The hair weaving thread 16 may be, butdoes not necessarily have to be the same hair weaving material 15 usedto connect the individual stands of hair braid.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the proposed application of our inventionusing a hair needle 24 and hair weaving thread 15 to sew the braidedhair weft 18 onto the corn rows 22 secured by natural hair onto thewearer's head 20.

While the present invention has been described above in terms ofspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and otherembodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in theart to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be andare covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It isindeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined byproper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relyingupon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings forguidance.

1. A method of making a braided hair weft comprising: creating aplurality of individual strands of hair braid by weaving at least threeindividual strands of hair together; connecting the individual strandsof hair braid together to form a braided hair weft.
 2. A method ofattaching a braided hair weft comprising: corn rowing the hair of anindividual; creating a plurality of individual strands of hair braid byweaving at least three individual strands of hair together; connectingthe individual strands of hair braid together to form a braided hairweft; laying the braided hair weft across the corn rows of theindividual's head; connecting the hair weft to the wearer's headcreating a track of free flowing braids.
 3. The method of claim 2further comprising the step of cutting the individual braided hairstrands into smaller lengths.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein theindividual braided hair strands are cut to a uniform length.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 further comprising repeating the laying and sewingsteps until all the exposed corn rows are covered.
 6. A braided hairweft comprising: a plurality of individual strands of hair braid, witheach individual strand of hair braid having atop and further having atleast three individual strands of hair weaved together to form theplurality of individual strands of hair braid; and a length of hairweaving material; whereby the plurality of individual strands of hairbraid are sewn together by the length of hair weaving material beinginserted through the top of each of the individual strands of hairbraid.
 7. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the individualstrands of hair are pre-manufactured hair.
 8. The braided hair weft ofclaim 6 wherein the pre-manufactured hair is made of synthetic material.9. The braided hair weft of claim 6 wherein the pre-manufactured hair ismade of pretreated and manufactured human hair material.
 10. The braidedhair weft of claim 6 wherein the length of hair weaving material isbetween 24 to 36 inches.
 11. The braided hair weft of claim 6 whereinthe length of hair weaving material is double sewn back through the topsof the individual strands of hair braid.